First thought, best thought.

Menu

Post navigation

Best Moments: Shadow and Bone

For those who don’t have a clue what I’m talking about, Ruin and Rising is the third installment in the Grisha trilogy. The series revolves around a teenage girl (Alina Starkov) in a Russian-inspired fantasy world. Alina has the power to control light, which sounds totally lame, but I swear that it’s a lot cooler than flicking a light switch on and off. Besides, you’ll understand the appeal when you meet the Darkling, her love interest, who is quite the enigma.

But if that explanation didn’t satisfy you, then Goodreads does a much better job of explaining the plot.

With only three days until my favourite book series (apart from Harry Potter… duh) comes to an end, I decided to compile a list of the top five moments, starting with the first book, Shadow and Bone:

5. Alina’s First Scene

Alina Starkov isn’t afraid to speak her mind, even if the opposition is built like a brick… or carrying a gun (yeah, common sense isn’t exactly her strong point). You have to admire her guts, though.

“Hey!” shouted the soldier. “Watch yourself!”

“Why don’t you watch your fat feet?” I snapped, and took some satisfaction from the surprise that came over his broad face.

People, particularly big men carrying rifles, don’t expect lip from a scrawny thing like me. They always look a bit dazed when they get it.

4. Alarkling’s First Meeting

*swoon*

My legs gave way and the Darkling caught me up against his body with one surprisingly strong arm.

“I guess you only look like a mouse,” he whispered in my ear.

3. The Two Orphans

This book has a prologue and epilogue, both written in third person. It tells the story of two orphans – Mal and Alina, and I love the fairy-tale effect that it creates. It fits in perfectly with the Russian-inspired world!

A moment later, the boy whispered, “I don’t think you’re ugly.”

“Shhhh!” the girl hissed. But hidden by the deep shadows of the cupboard, she smiled.”

2. Alina Goes Dark Side

I have read too many YA book series where the main character is always doing the right thing. It gets boring. This book is truly unique in the sense that Alina struggles with morality, her powers and the responsibilities that come with it.

“You begged me for clemency once,” he called over the dead reaches of the Fold, over the hungry shrieks of the horrors he made. “Is this your idea of mercy?”

Another bullet hit the sand, only inches from us. Yes, I thought as the power rose up inside me, the mercy you taught me.

1. Alina’s Love Scene (ugh, I’m such a cliché)

Can we get a ‘hell yeah!’?

“The problem with wanting,” he whispered, his mouth trailing along my jaw until it hovered over my lips, “is that it makes us weak.”